All Your Lives Are Moments

[arrayed_back]

Characters:  Riza Hawkeye (arrayed_back ) and YOU
When:  March 6 - March 12
Where:  Her Dreamscape
Rating:  PG-R, she doesn't have all nice memories.  Expect emotional trauma and violence.  And general unhappiness, though some might crop up.
Summary:  Welcome to Riza's past and memories.  She doesn't expect you to enjoy your stay.  And kindly stay away from her

Comments

[beforethearray]

He will find Master Hawkeye sitting at his desk, studying papers, open books, all sorts of things, as well as taking notes wherever they would make the most sense.

But there is a woman standing in front of the desk, seemingly unaffected by the man's work. She has light blonde hair.

"...She has something to show you."

The man doesn't look up. "Is it important?"

"Berthold." The woman sighs and takes a step closer, resting her hands on his. "She made it just for you."

The physical contact seems to calm him somewhat and he puts his pen down, sitting back in his chair. "So be it."

The woman nods and turns toward the doorway, not seeing Roy there. She bends down slightly, smiling gently. "Come on, Riza. Show Daddy what you drew."

And in walks a little Riza, no more than three years old, clutching a piece of paper protectively in her hands. Once she reaches the desk, which is as tall as she is, she shakily holds it up high, hoping her father will be able to reach it. If Roy looks, he'll be able to see a stick-figure family, terribly drawn and colored, but the effort is plain. And everyone is smiling, even the sun.

Hawkeye takes the paper and studies it for a moment, his eyes scouring it for anything of value. Finally, he sets it down on the desk and folds his hands on top of it. "It is satisfactory."

Little Riza's hand is still held up, unsure what any of this means. Her mother, however, for that is who she is, bends down and presses a kiss to her forehead. "He likes it! Now, how about you draw something for me?"

The girl lowers her hand and toddles off out of the room, ending the memory.

[general_mustang]

He knew what Mister Hawkeye was like.

That, though is clearly her mother.

He takes a good look, and wishes she'd been able to stay around long enough to provide Riza with a better start; he would have loved to meet her - he'd said that to himself many times.

Still, it pangs in his chest to see them like this. He thought he'd known about Riza's past, thought he understood the magnitude of the situation, thought he could comprehend it - but this just proved to him how difficult her childhood had been.

He sighed, slumping back against the doorframe even as the memory faded, looking away in the corridor. Did he even want to see more?

[arrayed_back]

If he chooses to continue, nearly every room has a memory or a ghost, some more than others. Upstairs is a quiet sobbing if he can hear it, and near the backdoor are loud noises of conflict.

But Roy should know better than anyone (besides Riza) how terrible this home is. He should be ready for anything to pass his sight.

[general_mustang]

If it hadn't been for a tiny detail, he might have chosen to stay where he was, but his eyes shift northward, and he frowns at the sounds he hears.

Crying.

Pushing off the door frame he looks around, before beginning to take the stairs. It strikes him that perhaps calling out will give no returns, so he doesn't bother.

Instead, he continues up - on the hunt for the source of that crying. Despite feeling that he knows who it belongs to.

[arrayed_back]

He already has his suspicions, but when make it to the upper floor, he'll notice that the choked crying is indeed coming from that room. The door, however, is locked, and even if he kicks and hits it, it will not budge.

[general_mustang]

It turns his skin cold. He knows that voice, even if he's not familiar with it like this.

Carefully, he reaches out to touch the door, taking a step closer to press his forehead to it.

The decision is simple. Turn and walk away, or try the handle. His eyes are already on it - and his hand drops, trying it. Nothing.

With rising concern he tries again, pushing hard against the door.

Well... Carefully, he knocks - hard, three times. It's a familiar knock to him.

"... Riza?"

[arrayed_back]

His voice seems to cause some disruption inside. Sheets rustle and the person inside gasps, but after a few moments, she speaks.

"Go...go away."

[general_mustang]

Well, shit. He hadn't expected that.

His head dips to stare at the door, forehead still pressed to it for a moment. Her voice. He could probably give her an age, and it's that thought that alarms him.

"No."

[arrayed_back]

A sniffle, followed by gasping breaths. "Please, Roy." You can't see her like this. You can't.

[general_mustang]

Hearing his name from her. Over the years, the effect that name on her lips has on him has changed drastically. They've shared too much, but she's so upset. Riza never cries like this, not even when she was a child.

"I'm not going anywhere."

[arrayed_back]

Shuddering breaths, now. "Don't make me beg you."

[general_mustang]

Beg. Seriously?

He stares at the handle again, and then shakes his head, letting his head fall against the door.

"You're not letting me in?"

[arrayed_back]

"You can't see me like this!" Her voice has risen now, almost harshly, but after a silence, she hisses in pain. It's obvious she tries to hide it, cover it up with breathing, but the truth hangs between them.

[general_mustang]

"Do you really think I care what you look like?" He asked, his own voice raising slightly, but it cooled - and he let his head fall to rest against the wood.

"Don't make me break this door down."

[arrayed_back]

"Try it." It is a weakly-issued challenge. She knows he won't be able to do it by mere strength alone.

[general_mustang]

He doesn't want to try it. Damnit, he wants her to open the bloody door for him.

A sigh, and he lets his head thunk against the door.

"I am."